Promoter Bruton Smith scheduled a 100-lap NASCAR modified sportsman race for the speedway at Charlotte's Fairgrounds for Sunday, March 9. Several heavy hitters planned to race including Ned Jarrett, Ralph Earnhardt, Banjo Matthews, Billy Myers, Dink Widenhouse, Cotton Owens and Fireball Roberts.
A race fan's worst nightmare - rain - affected the race. It was postponed to the following Sunday, March 16th. (The Grand National race scheduled for the same day at Champion Speedway in Fayetteville was also rained out. It was rescheduled for Saturday, March 15th meaning the GN teams raced on back-to-back days in Fayetteville and Wilson.)
The re-scheduled modified-sportsman race put it head-to-head with two other marquis NASCAR events in North Carolina on the 16th: a convertible race at North Wilkesboro and a Grand National race in Wilson . The top drivers returned for the show, and Cotton put a hurtin' on the field.
Fireball and Bobby Waddell won the two preliminary 10-lap races, but Owens claimed the trophy for his win in the Big Show.
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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 03/15/17 01:17:39PM